Alces (A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose)
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PECULIARITIES OF DAILY MILK PRODUCTIVITY OF PECHORA TAIGA DOMESTICATED COW MOOSE AND THEIR INTERCONNECTION WITH REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION
No full textInvestigations of 17 postpartum lactation periods of 5 domesticated female moose (Alces alces) were made over a 4-year period at the Pechoro-Ilych Nature Reserve in the Komi Republic. Duration of domesticated cow moose lactation period averaged 105 days. Maximum milk production averaged 6-7 liters of milk per day on the twentieth day of the postpartum period. A noticeable decline (1-2 liters) in milk production in moose was observed between days 30 and 60. During this period, cow moose exhibited an excited behavior, which is characteristic of estrus activity. This "estrus behavior" and the existence of vaginal mucus in some females were not connected with corresponding cytological changes in the vagina. However, "estrus behavior" was connected with a noticeable decrease in moose daily milk productivity
VITAMIN E, SELENIUM, AND REPRODUCTIVE LOSSES IN ALASKAN MOOSE
No full textA severe vitamin E deficiency was observed in a captive moose (Alces alces) population that was maintained on a pelleted ration during 9 months per year. During 1998 only 10 of 17 calves identified in utero using ultrasonography at the Moose Research Center (MRC), Alaska, were born alive. An additional 3 calves exhibited posterior lameness within 3 weeks following birth and 2 of the 3 subsequently died. These symptoms have been previously associated with white muscle disease. White muscle disease results from both vitamin E and selenium deficiencies. While whole blood and liver selenium levels in 3 animals with white muscle disease were above recommended levels, serum vitamin E (α-tocopherol) levels for MRC calves were lower than levels observed in free-ranging neonatal calves in interior Alaska (Tanana Flats). Furthermore, mean serum vitamin E levels in adult cows during March at the MRC (0.08 μg/ml) were alarmingly lower than free-ranging Tanana Flats moose (2.8 μg/ml). We observed vitamin E deficiencies in animals fed diets with 5 IU/kg feed. Our data suggest that clinical symptoms of vitamin E deficiencies in adult moose may be difficult to detect, unless animals are reproducing. Following supplementation of vitamin E to 220 IU/kg in our pelleted ration during 1999, we observed no abortions and only 1 cow had still-born twin claves, but this was attributed to dystocia. Indeed, during 1999 only 2 of 16 calves identified in utero died of nonpredation causes. Although a vitamin E deficiency in free-ranging moose is unlikely, low selenium levels have been observed in free-ranging ungulate populations. Mean whole blood selenium levels in Tanana Flats moose (0.12 μg/g) were significantly lower than MRC adult cows (0.16 μg/g) fed a supplemented diet. More importantly, 8 of 10 animals from the Tanana Flats had selenium levels ≤ 0.085 μg/g and were below recommended levels for domestic cattle. Given the lack of data on soil selenium levels in Alaska, deficiency-related neonatal losses may occur that are attributed to other causes of mortality. It will be difficult to quantify in utero and neonatal calf losses resulting from selenium and vitamin E deficiencies if blood or tissue samples from study locations are not examined
EXTREME MOOSE DEMOGRAPHICS IN GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK, NEWFOUNDLAND (Alces 36: 217-232, 2000)
No full textIn Table 5 of the above paper (p. 228 of Vol. 36), incorrect entries occurred for the moose population estimates of hunted areas adjacent to Gros Morne National Park. Accordingly, harvest estimate were proportionally incorrect. Please refer to the corrected second and final columns in the table as repeated below. Also, the acknowledgements should have included Scott Taylor of Gros Morne National Park for his assistance in plotting and mapping
SIMILARITY IN HABITAT ADAPTATIONS OF ARCTIC AND AFRICAN UNGULATES: EVOLUTIONARY CONVERGENCE OR ECOLOGICAL DIVERGENCE?
No full textCaribout (Rangifer tarandus) and muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) partition habitat use in the Arctic differently in relation to the morphological, physiological, and behavioral attributes. Adaptations to Arctic habitats by caribou result in an energy-costly lifestyle in contrast to the energy-conservative adaptations of muskoxen. In southern Africa, impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus) and blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi) show parallel adaptations, with impala more closely mirroring caribou, and those adaptations of blesbok resembling muskoxen. Comparative abilities of these ungulates to adapt to habitat parameters derive from their morphological, physiological, and behavioral capacities. Habitat constraints determine energy-nutritive requirements, forage digestibility, forage selection and intake rates, locomotive efficiency, thermal regulation, water requirements, avoidance of predation, and insect harassment and parasitism. Although overlap occurs, or has occurred, in distribution of these geographically paired ungulate species in both the Arctic and southern Africa, partitioning of habitat use ahs been dependent on species-specific selection of microhabitat components
SEX-SPECIFIC DYNAMICS OF NORTH AMERICAN ELK IN RELATION TO GLOBAL CLIMATE
No full textThe North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is a continuous fluctuation in atmospheric mass balance that drives most interannual and decadal variation in winter temperatures and precipitation in the Northern Hemisphere. Effects of the NAO on the population dynamics of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in northern Europe and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and moose (Alces alces) in North America are well documented. In northern Europe, analysis of sex-specific population dynamics in relation to the NAO have documented divergent responses of the sexes to winter warming, but such analysis have been lacking for North American ungulates. We investigated effects of the NAO on the sex-specific population dynamics of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) on Raspberry Island, Alaska, USA. Density of females and of the total population declined after positive (cold and snowy) NAO winters. Density of males was unrelated to the NAO index. Production of young was limited by density of females and increased following positive NAO winters. Hence, in agreement with analyses of the dynamics of red deer in northern Europe, population dynamics of the herd on Raspberry Island related mainly to the influences of winter climate and density on abundance and productivity of females, rather than males
EFFECTS OF SIMULATED ELK GRAZING AND TRAMPLING (I): INTENSITY
No full textVegetative impacts caused by Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) grazing and trampling have been a growing concern for natural resource managers. The threat the archeological resources and naturally functioning ecosystems as a result of excessive elk trampling and grazing now rank as the highest management priority at Bandelier National Monument (BAND), New Mexico. In summer 1998, BAND erected a series of ungulate exclosures and paired reference areas to evaluate elk impacts on the vegetative community in piñon-juniper (Pinus edulis – Juniperus spp. [PJ]), ponderosa (Pinus ponderosa) grassland, and mixed-conifer (MC) habitat types. We evaluated simulated grazing/trampling treatment combinations applied at different intensities from January through May of 1999 and 2000. Litter cover was negatively correlated with clipping intensity in PJ and MC sites. Trampling more consistently impacted parameters and may stimulate plant productivity at an intermediate intensity, especially in terms of forb response. Longer time periods may be needed to detect vegetative responses to changes in grazing pressure especially in ecosystems that have developed with a history of grazing pressure
REPRODUCTIVE LIFE HISTORY AND FERTILITY OF MOOSE IN NORTH ASIA
No full textWe studies reproduction and fertility of moose (Alces alces) in North Asia from 1976 to 1990. Aerial moose surveys were conducted to determine moose population demographics, breeding seasons, breeding group composition, habitat use, calf survival, and frequency of twinning. Moose were also observed from the ground and we investigated fertility using harvested animals. Breeding seasons occurred from mid-September through early October throughout the study area. Habitat types used by moose included poplar (Populus spp.) - Chosenia forest, sparse larch (Tamarisk) forest, and willow (Salix spp.)/alder (Alnus spp.) forest. Aggressive interactions between bulls were more frequent at higher populations densities and when females were associated with > 1 bull. The most frequently observed breeding groups were male:female pairs and 1 male:2 females. Frequency of twinning was 23.8%. Our data were consistent with previous research that documented increased fertility with decreasing latitude. North Asian moose are a species with limited polygamy that can be displayed at varying degrees depending on population status, sex ratios, and other factors
STABLE ISOTOPE SIGNATURES OF MOOSE IN RELATION TO SEASONAL FORAGE COMPOSITION: A HYPOTHESIS
No full textForage plants consumed by moose (Alces alces) during winter are isotopically divergent from the forage plants potentially eaten during summer. I examined the natural abundance of 15N and 13C in moose form north-central Alaska, USA, to test the hypothesis that seasonal variation (summer versus winter) in the isotopic composition of the diet can be used to make inferences about food habits across seasons through a temporal record in hooves of moose. Moose hooved collected from hunter-killed males during autumn exhibited temporal oscillations in stable isotope signatures for both carbon and nitrogen. Data on hoof growth in cervids and additional isotope data from immature moose strongly suggest that observed variation in mature animals reflected diet, and comprised a time frame of slightly < 2 years. This isotopic technique has the potential for reconstruction of diets in moose throughout the year without repeated sampling over that time interval, and allows for comparisons of diets among regional populations without extensive fieldwork
STUMBLING TOWARDS ENLIGHTENMENT: UNDERSTANDING CARIBOU DYNAMICS
No full textI review what biologists now think we know about caribou dynamics (Rangifer tarandus) and how we came by this knowledge, in the hope that there are some lessons that will help us learn more efficiently in the future. Prior to the late 1940s, most knowledge about caribou was obtained from anecdotal accounts of explorers, miners, government officials, and from the traditional knowledge of Native peoples. From the late 1940s to the early 1960s, there was a great leap forward due to the use of modern aircraft for wildlife surveys, the establishment of the wildlife management program at the University of Alaska, wolf (Canis lupus) control, and the increased availability of funding for wildlife research in Canada and Alaska. During the 1960s, particularly in Alaska, accumulation of knowledge slowed because of the change in administration from federal to state management, a shift in management and research priorities from caribou to moose (Alces alces), decreased funding and personnel for wildlife management, and because caribou were abundant throughout Alaska. Caribou were still viewed as a rather "unmanageable" species because of misunderstandings about population identity, population limitation and regulation, and caribou movements. Major declines in populations during the early 1970s, development of reliable radio collars, and much greater availability of affordable helicopters led to a renaissance in caribou research during the late 1970s. During the mid to late 1980s, new information accrued more slowly while most herds were increasing again. Widespread declines of caribou in the early 1990s, in conjunction with ongoing long-term research on population dynamics, weather, and predation, provided a large amount of new information. Knowledge about caribou dynamics, like the advancement of science, in general, has not come in a gradual way. There have been periods of stagnation when caribou populations were high, interspersed with periods of confusion, and then rapidly expanded research as herds declined. Despite greatly expanded knowledge, managers still have a limited ability to control caribou numbers, and the primary function of managers will continue to be providing for caribou hunting, while ensuring that hunting does not cause herds to decline to undesirably low levels. An increasingly important function for managers is providing accurate information to the public about caribou dynamics and the rationale for hunting regulations. Caribou biologists and managers should not be defensive or embarrassed about being wrong when new information casts doubt on old ideas, and creative new approaches to learning should be encouraged
MOOSE HUNTERS' PERCEPTIONS OF FOREST HARVESTING
No full textEcosystem management takes into account all components of ecosystems, including people. In this context, an improved knowledge of moose (Alces alces) hunters' preferences and perceptions is a prerequisite to the implementation of ecosystem management in the boreal forest. In Québec, they are one of the most important and one of the most influential groups of outdoor recreationists. In an area subject to intensive forest harvesting in Northwestern Québec, >90% of hunters interviewed (n = 188) identified camaraderie, presence of a natural environment, and high moose density as the most important criteria in determining the location of hunting areas. Over 60% of hunters though that forest harvesting systems used within their hunting areas were inappropriate. Hunters wanted restrictions on size of cutovers, increased proportion of residual forest, adaptation of cutovers into landscape features, reduction in woody debris, and increased width of forested buffer strips along lakes, watercourses, and around hunting camps. Few differences were noted between hunters with or without cuts within their hunting areas or between hunters in vehicles and those who hunted from camps, suggesting that hunters' perceptions were also influenced by sociological parameters external to the hunting experience. Satisfaction with respect to the hunting experience depended upon the number of moose seen and killed, age of hunters, and presence of cuts within the hunting areas. These results are interpreted in the context of forest ecosystem management